Jurisprudence, Interpretation and General Laws · Law relating to Information Technology

Overview and Definitions under the IT Act, 2000

Updated 11 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Information Technology Act, 2000 is India's main law on electronic records, digital signatures, cyber offences and intermediaries. Section 2(1) defines its key terms, such as computer resource, electronic record, intermediary, originator, addressee and subscriber. To answer questions, quote the definition exactly, break it into parts, and apply it to the facts given.

Understand Overview and Definitions under the IT Act, 2000

The Information Technology Act, 2000 is the law that deals with the digital world. It gives legal recognition to electronic records and electronic or digital signatures. It also sets up authorities to regulate certifying authorities and creates offences and penalties for cyber wrongs. Later amendments, notably in 2009, widened its scope, for example by adding electronic signatures and a fuller definition of intermediary.

You should know the broad purpose. The Act aims to make electronic transactions legally valid, support e-governance, and protect computers, data and networks from misuse. Keep the objectives in your own words. Do not attempt a section number for the objectives unless you are sure of it.

The heart of this topic is the set of definitions in Section 2(1). Start with the technical chain. A computer is an electronic, magnetic, optical or other high-speed data processing device or system that performs logical, arithmetic and memory functions. A computer system is a device or collection of devices, excluding non-programmable calculators, that contains programmes, input and output data and performs logic, storage, retrieval and communication control functions. A computer network is the inter-connection of computers, computer systems or communication devices through satellite, microwave, terrestrial line, wire, wireless or other media. A computer resource is the widest term: computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer database or software.

Next, the information chain. Data is a representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions prepared in a formalised manner for processing in a computer system or network. Information includes data, message, text, images, sound, voice, codes, computer programmes, software and databases. An electronic record means data, record or data generated, image or sound stored, received or sent in an electronic form or micro film or computer generated micro fiche.

Finally, the people. The originator sends, generates, stores or transmits an electronic message, or causes it to be so sent, but does not include an intermediary. The addressee is the person the originator intends to receive the record, again excluding any intermediary. An intermediary, for a particular electronic record, is any person who on behalf of another receives, stores or transmits that record or provides any service with respect to it. It includes telecom, network, internet and web-hosting service providers, search engines, online payment sites, online auction sites, online marketplaces and cyber cafes. A subscriber is a person in whose name the electronic signature certificate is issued. Note that intermediary status depends on the record in question.

Key rules to remember

Computer resource: Computer resource = computer + computer system + computer network + data + computer database + software; Section 2(1)(k). It is a list, so any one item qualifies as a computer resource.
Intermediary: Intermediary = any person who, on behalf of another, receives, stores or transmits a record or provides any service with respect to it; Section 2(1)(w). It includes telecom, network, internet and web-hosting providers, search engines, online payment sites, auction sites, marketplaces and cyber cafes.
Electronic record: Electronic record = data, record or generated data, image or sound stored, received or sent in an electronic form or micro film or computer generated micro fiche; Section 2(1)(t). Electronic form covers magnetic, optical, computer memory and similar media.
Subscriber: Subscriber = person in whose name the electronic signature certificate is issued; Section 2(1)(zg). Being the signer is not enough; the certificate must be in your name.
Originator and addressee: Originator and addressee both exclude an intermediary; Section 2(1)(za) and (b). A courier-like service handling a message is not the originator or addressee.
Electronic signature: Electronic signature = authentication of an electronic record by a subscriber using the technique specified in the Second Schedule, and includes digital signature; Section 2(1)(ta). Digital signature is a narrower part of electronic signature.

How to solve Overview and Definitions under the IT Act, 2000 questions

Use this method for any question that asks you to define a term, explain the scope of the Act, or decide whether a person or thing falls within a definition.

1Identify the exact term asked and the clause of Section 2(1) where it is defined.
2Write the definition in its statutory words, as closely as you can recall.
3Split the definition into its parts, such as who, what, and what is included or excluded.
4Apply each part to the facts one by one, using a short line for each.
5Check for exclusions, for example an intermediary cannot be an originator or addressee.
6Link to related definitions if useful, such as computer resource covering data and software.
7End with a clear conclusion that answers the question asked.

Quickest way: Definition-chain recall

When to use it: Use it when time is short and you must define several terms or classify a person or thing in a few lines.

Group terms into three chains: machines (computer, system, network, resource), content (data, information, electronic record) and people (originator, addressee, intermediary, subscriber).
Write the definition of the asked term first, then one line on how it differs from its nearest neighbour.
For facts, ask one question: does this person handle another's record, or create or receive it for themselves?
Conclude in one sentence naming the term and the clause.

Common mistakes in Overview and Definitions under the IT Act, 2000

Treating a social media or e-commerce platform as the originator of every post on it.
Students focus on who owns the platform, not on whose record it is.
Fix: Ask whose record it is. A platform that stores or transmits a user's content on the user's behalf is an intermediary for that record, and the user is the originator.
Saying computer resource means only a computer.
The everyday meaning of computer is narrower than the statutory list.
Fix: Remember it covers computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer database and software.
Confusing subscriber with any user of a digital signature.
The word suggests someone who pays for a service.
Fix: A subscriber is the person in whose name the electronic signature certificate is issued.
Treating digital signature and electronic signature as identical.
Both are used in practice for signing electronically.
Fix: Electronic signature is the wider term and includes digital signature.
Including an intermediary within originator or addressee.
Students overlook the closing words of each definition.
Fix: Both definitions expressly exclude an intermediary, so mention this exclusion.
Quoting the pre-amendment list of intermediaries or omitting cyber cafes and online marketplaces.
Old notes are used.
Fix: Use the current definition in Section 2(1)(w), which includes search engines, online payment sites, auction sites, marketplaces and cyber cafes.

Worked examples

Example 1

ShopEasy Ltd runs an online marketplace where sellers list goods. Rohan lists a product on the site. Identify who is the originator and who is the intermediary in respect of Rohan's listing, with reasons.

Show the solution

Provision: under Section 2(1)(za), an originator sends, generates, stores or transmits an electronic message, or causes it to be so done, but does not include an intermediary.
Under Section 2(1)(w), an intermediary, for a particular electronic record, is a person who on behalf of another receives, stores or transmits that record or provides any service with respect to it. Online marketplaces are expressly included.
Facts: Rohan creates the listing, so he generates it and causes it to be stored and transmitted.
ShopEasy Ltd stores and displays the listing on Rohan's behalf and provides a service with respect to it.
Status is judged for the particular record, so ShopEasy is an intermediary for Rohan's listing.

Answer: Rohan is the originator of the listing and ShopEasy Ltd is an intermediary for that record, as an online marketplace that stores and transmits it on his behalf.

Example 2

Explain the meaning of computer resource under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and state whether a company's customer database and its accounting software are covered.

Show the solution

Provision: Section 2(1)(k) defines computer resource as a computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer database or software.
The definition is a list. Any one item in it is a computer resource.
Facts: the customer database is a computer database, and the accounting software is software.
Both are named items in the list, so no separate proof of a connected computer is needed for them to fall within the term.
Conclusion: both are computer resources.

Answer: Computer resource means computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer database or software under Section 2(1)(k). The customer database and the accounting software are each a computer resource.

Exam tips

Reproduce definitions in the statutory words, then add a one-line explanation. Examiners reward precision.
In fact-based questions, always name the section clause, such as Section 2(1)(w), and state the conclusion clearly.
Learn the exclusions in originator and addressee, as they are a favourite short-note point.
Remember that Sections 69 and 69B use these terms: for example, an intermediary can be called on to give technical assistance. Link definitions to those powers where the question allows.
Keep the objectives of the Act in a few plain sentences: legal recognition of electronic records and signatures, e-governance, and curbing cyber crime.

Practice questions from Law relating to Information Technology

Overview and Definitions under the IT Act, 2000 in other exams

The same ground in other exams, if you are preparing for more than one or want another angle on it.

Overview and Definitions under the IT Act, 2000: frequently asked questions

What is a computer resource under the IT Act, 2000?

Under Section 2(1)(k), it means a computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer database or software. It is wider than the word computer alone.

Who is an intermediary under the IT Act?

An intermediary, for a particular electronic record, is a person who on behalf of another receives, stores or transmits that record or provides any service with respect to it. Section 2(1)(w) lists examples such as internet service providers, search engines, online marketplaces and cyber cafes.

What is the difference between an originator and an addressee?

The originator sends, generates, stores or transmits the electronic message, or causes it to be done. The addressee is the person the originator intends to receive it. Neither term includes an intermediary.

Who is a subscriber under the Act?

A subscriber is a person in whose name the electronic signature certificate is issued, as defined in Section 2(1)(zg).

Are definitions in Section 2 asked directly in the CS Executive exam?

The paper is descriptive, so you may get short notes or fact-based questions. Learn the key definitions word for word and practise applying them to facts.